Day 258 - Back Home Again

Today we walked along Deck 15 before leaving the ship.  By 8:35 AM they had us off the ship...

All images are taken with the EOS-M w/EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ Aperture Priority set to f/3.5

By 8:35 AM we were Standing outside waiting to go to the Airport

ANd by 5:00 PM we were Standing by our car ready to head home.

Thanks for Stopping by

Tom

Day 257 - Last Day at Sea

Well today is our last day at sea. The day was spent just relaxing and packing. Can't believe the the vacation is already over and tomorrow is back to reality. So here are some of the last pictures aboard the Allure of the Seas,

All images are taken with the EOS-M w/EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ Aperture Priority set to f/3.5
Relaxing at the Solarium on deck 16


Stopping on Deck 14 to admire some of the art work

These next set of images I used the 40mm STM
Our cabin steward

Enjoying our balcony as the sun sets on our cruise.
Thanks for stopping by
Tom Sarver
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Location:Allure of The Seas

Day 256 - A Day in Cozumel

Today we arrived in Cozumel. It was a very wet and rainy day here in Cozumel, but that did not keep us from taking a Photography Tour. If you are ever in Cozumel and would like to learn more about your camera, or work on your composition, etc. I would highly recommend you contact Cozumel Photo Tour. Not only did I learn some new things, I watched my wife grow in confidence as Tati showed her how to use her camera and take better photos. The tour last 3 hours and is only $49 per person. If you do decide to take this tour, I would highly recommend that you bring along some mosquito repellant as there where a lot of hungry tiger Mosquitos looking for food.

All images are taken with the EOS-M w/EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ Aperture Priority set to f/3.5 Waiting for the tour to begin

A Mayan Monument in HDR

The Entrance to the Mexican Air Force Base

Like I said it was a wet and rainy day, but it we had a great time on our Photo Tour.

This was probably the best excursion of the cruise.

Thanks for stopping by
Tom

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Location:Cozumel, Mexico

Day 255 - Cruising Again

Today is a cruise day. Time to sit back, relax and enjoy the ship. This morning we booked our next cruise for my wife's birthday in April. That cruise we will be leaving from New Orleans.

After lunch we going to do the walk for wishes, then go to a wine tasting.

All images are taken with the EOS-M w/EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ Aperture Priority set to f/3.5
This morning started like every morning with coffee on our balcony looking out to the sea.

As we where sitting there we noticed this fast approaching storm.

Walking Along the Royal Promenade and stopping by to admire the car

Athen a stop to relax for a bit.


Tonight is our 2nd Formal Dinner where they are serving Lobster.

Thanks for stopping by

Tom

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Location:Allure of the Seas

Day 254 - A Day in Jamaica

This morning we sailed into Falmouth, Jamaica. We took the Heritage Walking Tour and learned that the leading industry is remittance and tourism in a country of over 2 million. The buildings in Falmouth are in various states of disrepair. That buildings damaged by hurricanes are not allowed to be torn down as they are considered historic. So if there is no money to restore them, then they sit empty to deteriorate.

After the tour, we went to the placed called the Jerk Shack, which was suppose to have the best Jerk Chicken in the city. We got the platter of jerk pork and chicken and I must say it was the most flavorful dish that I have eaten.

All images are taken with the EOS-M w/EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ Aperture Priority set to f/3.5
Lunch at the Jerk Shack


Then on the way back to the ship I noticed this elderly woman staying cool in the shade.

Thanks for stopping by

Tom

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Falmouth, Jamaica

Day 253 - Cruising to Haiti.

This morning we arrived at Labadee, Haiti at 6:30 AM. After having our morning breakfast on the balcony, we headed out for our Haiti's Cultural Tour. What an interesting tour, as what it appears is that the locals built a village to emulate older villages and the put on a demonstration of what the life style is supposed to be in the mountains of Haiti. After our tour we headed to the beach, where my wife stayed on sure and I went out snorkeling.

All images are taken with the EOS-M w/EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ Aperture Priority set to f/3.5
Sunrise over Haiti

The Allure of the Seas

Time to get out of our boat for the tour.

This last image my wife took with her's S100 as I came back from snorkeling.

Thanks for stopping by

Tom

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Location:Labadee, Haiti

Day 252 - Cruising Today

Today was a day to spend on the water, relaxing and attending a couple of events. The 1st event was with the Cruise Critics. The second event was the welcome back party for Gold members and above. The afternoon was napping on the balcony as we sailed past Cuba, then getting ready for our 1st Formal of the cruise.

All images are taken with the EOS-M w/EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ Aperture Priority set to f/3.5
Of course there pictures with the Dream Team

Making waves

And then pictures with the captain of the Allure.

Lastly a picture of us dressed for the Formal

Thanks for stopping by.

Tom

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Allure of The Seas

Day 251 - A merry-go-zip day

Today we boarded the Allure of the Seas. What a remarkable ship, or should I say a city. Our 1st stop was the Cafe in Central Park. After a light lunch, we toured the ship, with our 1st stop:


All images are taken with the EOS-M w/EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ Aperture Priority set to f/3.5

A ride together on the Merry-go-round

Then my wife fell in love with her Ice Cream

Then off to work, carving a horse.

Then Came the Zip line

Which was fun that I did it twice

Thanks for looking
Tom

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Allure of the Seas

Day 250 - A Ducky Day

Today we got up at 2:30 AM to head to the Airport. This is day 1 of our annual cruise. After arriving to Florida, we headed down to the beach area to see some of the sites here in Fort Lauderdale. While there we saw a Duck boat:

All images are taken with the EOS-M w/EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ Aperture Priority set to f/3.5

The Duck

Our Guide


Thanks for stopping by

Tom

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Day 213 - Wild Horses of Corolla

Today we where able to rent some jeeps to go to the most northern end of the beach to see the wild horses.  What is unique about these horses are that they are descendants from the best breeding stock that the royal family of spain had to offer.  These colonial mustangs arrived here on the outer banks after Spanish ships ran aground on the underwater sand dunes.  to lighten the ship, the horses were thrown overboard and they same to the Island.  They where able to survive on this isolated island for over 500 years by adapting to it's harsh environment.  they survived by eating the the course salt grasses, sea oats, acorns and persimmons.  They learned to graze high so that the plants could rejuvenate and continue to be a source of food for them.  By 1926 there were of 5,000 of these animals roaming the outer banks.  However, once humans discovered these island as a vacation home, and started to put in paved roads, the numbers have now dwindled to about 120 to 130 horses.  These horses are now contained in a 7,544 acre section that is only accessible by 4 wheel drive. However this land is NOT a horse sanctuary but privately owned with homes being built.

All images are taken with the EOS-M w/ EF-M 22mm f/2 STM @ f/3.5

Starting off on our tour

Strapping In

Ready to Roll.

After the Tour and dinner a Pose with Aunt Josie

So on the Tour I switched Lens to the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS/USM on the EOS-M.

I set the camera to Shutter Priority (TV mode) @ 1/500 sec with ISO to Auto.

Stopping on the island tallest sand dune @ 40 feet above sea level.  At one time that sand dune

Stood @ 120 feet until a storm came 100 years ago and took all but the 40 feet.

And now for the horses.  For these images I was standing in the back of the jeep, with the jeep

moving as you are not allowed to stop when passing a horse.  If you do it is a $1,000 fine.

Thanks for looking

Tom